Finding Yourself

Chapter Twelve: Da-kota becomes a Da-straction

(IT'S FEBRUARY Y'ALL! ARE YOU GUYS READY FOR A BRUTALLY LONELY VALENTINE'S DAY?? I THINK I AM!)

Dakota woke up naturally, seeing as it was a Sunday morning. He didn't have to worry about his obnoxious alarm going off. He didn't have to worry about school; however, he did have to worry about several other things.

Lucas, unlike the previous days, was still asleep when Dakota glanced at his roommate's bed. The bite-mark-ridden twink was in Dakota's pajamas, curled into a little ball, clutching the blanket like a small child.

Dakota didn't realize how tense Lucas had been before seeing him sleep; sleeping Lucas seemed much more relaxed and calm than awake Lucas. Dakota couldn't help but let his heart silently soar at seeing Lucas in such a precious state.

He decided that it was time for breakfast.

Sunday was "cereal day." Nick took a break from cooking while everyone in the house explored the deep recesses of the Moore Family Cereal Cabinet- which was basically the cereal aisle of a store. Despite cooking breakfast for most days, the Moore's- including Dakota- all had their favorite individual cereal. Even Xavier had some, despite his recent absences.

When Dakota walked to the kitchen, he saw Nick talking on the phone while pouring the toddlers' cereal onto a plate. Yes, the two-year-olds ate cereal without milk; they were heathens.

Dakota noticed that he was the only kid there other than Jason and Jordan. Maria and Bianca were most likely sleeping in late. Avil probably woke up earlier than all of them and finished his breakfast already.

While Dakota was pouring his cereal, he decided to eavesdrop on Nick's phone call.

"Honey, it's Sunday...Yes! I know... just please come home..." Nick paused, listening to whoever was on the phone. Dakota guessed Xavier by the way Nick was speaking. "Yeah? Will you?..." Nick was smiling now- tiredly and sadly, but still smiling-" What about dinner with the kids? You can-...Oh, I see..." 

Nick's smile slowly died, and that's when Dakota knew for sure that he was talking to Xavier. Nick was never disappointed in anybody- not unless it was Xavier.

"Why can't you?" Nick asked, his voice slowly going stern. Dakota was surprised. He had never heard that tone from Nick- especially not toward Xavier, "What do you mean, Xavier? You have time to take me to dinner, but you can't eat with our kids?...No, I'm serious!... Yes! Just because I take care of them, doesn't make them mine and mine alone. They're your kids too!... Cut it out, Xavier. Cut the crap. I'm tired of playing this game... You know what I'm talking about...Whatever. Dakota's here for breakfast, so I got to get to it. I expect you home by tomorrow, no later than five. It's either that, or I'm coming to you. End of story, okay?... Bye I guess. I lov-"

Nick suddenly pulled the phone from his ear and looked at it, frowning. It was obvious Xavier had hung up on him. After a moment, he looked at Dakota.

"Sorry you had to hear that," Nick mumbled, "I just couldn't let him get away with it again. He needs to come home." He rubbed his eyes- from sleepiness, Dakota assumed.

"It's okay. Are you good?" Dakota asked. Nick pursed his lips.

"Don't," he replied, "Don't get me started. I can't curse in front of the two-year-olds."

"S**t!" Jordan repeated, as if he knew what Nick was talking about.

"Shhh!" Nick replied, "That's not a nice word!"

"Nick?" Dakota asked, calling Nick by his name to let him know he was serious. Nick looked at him. "How long has it been since you've eaten?"

Nick looked a little pale, a little shaky, a little thinner than usual. His eyes had bags from lack of sleep, and they were half-closed from his exhaustion. Dakota wouldn't have noticed if he hadn't seen Nick in a healthier state before.